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Famous people with bipolar disorder

Millions of people suffer from bipolar disorder, which is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The disorder was formerly called manic depression.

Some historic figures like Ludwig Van Beethoven (pictured) and Vincent van Gogh are considered to have likely had bipolar disorder, according to authors D. Jablow Hershman Julian Lieb, among others, but they were never diagnosed.

Several modern-day celebrities, however, have been linked to the disorder. Some of the names may surprise you...

Actor/comedian Russell Brand suffers from bipolar disorder, according to The Independent.

Actor Robert Downey, Jr. was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the 1990’s, according to People Magazine.

Actor Richard Dreyfuss spoke to comedian Stephen Fry about his bipolar disorder as part of a BBC documentary.

Actress Carrie Fisher revealed to USA Today that she suffers from bipolar disorder. She was honored with the Kim Peek Award for Disability in Media by the Utah Film Center for raising awareness of mental illness.

Actress Linda Hamilton, who played Sarah Connor in the Terminator movies, said she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the 1990’s, according to the Associated Press.

Singer Demi Lovato admitted she suffers from bipolar disorder in an interview with People Magazine.

Singer Sinead O’Connor cancelled a tour in 2012, citing doctor’s orders, due to her battle with bipolar disorder, according to The Guardian.

Axl Rose, the lead singer of Guns N’ Roses, told close friend Del James, a musician and journalist, in 1989 that he was a diagnosed manic-depressive, or bipolar.

Legendary singer Frank Sinatra claimed he was manic-depressive in an interview in the 1950’s, as recounted in a 1998 Washington Post article soon after his death, though it’s not known if he was ever officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Billionaire businessman Ted Turner suffers from bipolar disorder, according to a Forbes report in 2003.

Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme said he believes he was manic-depressive in his teen years, but was never diagnosed with bipolar disorder until later in life, according to an About.com report.

Scott Weiland, the frontman for the Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, suffers from bipolar disorder, according to USA Today.